Kristin Chenoweth talks Betty White, acting: 5 interview highlights

via ontheredcarpet.com
Kristin Chenoweth once got some sound advice from none other than Betty White -- and she continues to implement it.
The 45-year-old pint-sized singer and actress, who played original Glinda in the Broadway musical "Wicked," and White, 91, had starred together in the 2010 comedy film "You Again." Chenoweth also guest starred on an episode of the actress' sitcom "Hot In Cleveland" last year.
Following years of mostly TV acting -- which includes roles on "Pushing Daisies," "The West Wing," "Glee" and "The Good Wife" and a guest appearance on TLC's "Say Yes To The Dress" (on the season 10 premiere on Aug. 16), Chenoweth is currently busy honing her "gift" -- singing.
She is preparing for two concerts with the Los Angeles Philharmonic at the Hollywood Bowl on Aug. 23 and Aug. 24. She heads to New Orleans in October and to New York's Carnegie Hall next year. And she's had a LOT of practice.
Chenoweth recently talked to OTRC.com at the Hollywood Bowl itself, ahead of the concerts. Check out 5 highlights below and click on the images above to watch the full, extended interview.
1. What Betty White told her ...
"I was working with Betty White once and I asked her, I said, 'Why do I just can't see myself doing anything else?' And she said, 'Cause you were born to do this and you must, always.' She said, 'You must always sing. You're a singer and you must always communicate your song.'"
2. You may want to avoid her on the highway ...
"I think music truly is my gift. I wasn't given many gifts. I certainly didn't get the legs, I didn't get the gift of driving very good or balancing my checkbook but music ... I take it seriously."
3. She'll always return to Broadway.
"I will always go back to Broadway. There are roles that I look at my future that are sort of landmark roles that I want to play. There's a new show that I'm working on ... I'm lucky. I have options. And girl, I'm single. A girl's gotta pay her bills, so here I come!"
4. ... And to television.
"I certainly love popping in and out. I just got to do a cool role on the 'Kirstie' show [Kirstie Alley's new series] on TV Land, which I love. Obviously, you know, if I were to be given a cool role on a TV show, permanently, I would definitely consider it. I think for any actor, we're lucky if we have a role that speaks to us ... I'd love to do a TV part again. It just, I want it to be the right thing."
5. Willie Nelson watched her perform in "Wicked."
"I'm such a big fan of his. He pulled up in front of "Wicked" in his big tour bus and came in and saw the show and got back on his bus and drove away. Isn't that funny?"
Bonus: She has "Show Business ADD" -- and new types of projects in the works
"You heard it here first -- I'm moving into new directions in the business, as a writer and producer and that'll all be revealed soon."
"I have 'Show Business ADD.' I have a real struggle at night when I lay down -- I can't turn my head off. I wish there was a switch that we could just .. 'Off' and 'On.' That's why I keep a journal right beside my bed and my reading glasses now. Can't see. What happened? Literally, what happened?"
Reporting by George Pennacchio of KABC Television, which produces the syndicated entertainment show "On The Red Carpet" (check for local TV listings).